Alternative Christmas tree ideas

Of course, there’s nothing like a ‘real’ fir or spruce at Christmas – the look, the smell, and even the shedding needles, are all part of the great British Christmas tradition. But with so many of us now living in smaller spaces, a tree that takes up less room, yet still evokes the romantic spirit of Christmas, is an appealing alternative. If you think you’ll miss the scent of a real tree, just add Scentsicles White Winter Fir Fragrance ornaments, £5.99 for six.

The glory of a faux tree is that when Christmas is over you don’t have the job of lugging it to the dump or cutting it up. Just dismantle it and pop it back in the box – ready for next year!

Read our guide to choosing a living Christmas tree

The big ones

John Lewis’s 6ft Pre-Lit Silver Glitter Leaf Christmas tree creates an instant winter wonderland indoors. It’s so sparkly you don’t even need to add decorations. £90, johnlewis.com

Cox & Cox’s Frosted Branches Hanging tree comes in large (185cm, £40) or small (90cm high for £20). It’s made from natural birch branches strung together with twine and is hung on a wall, taking up very little room. Wound around with strings of tiny lights (not included), it looks great decorated with neutral, natural baubles and woodland theme animals and birds – coxandcox.co.uk

The Snowflake Christmas Tree wall sticker peels on and off your wall without causing damage. This minimalist vinyl ‘tree’ is 100cm high and comes in 23 colours, so you can theme it to suit your décor. £26.45, All Things Brighton Beautiful on notonthehighstreet.com

The little ones

Paperchase’s charming wooden Christmas tree comes in two separate, pieces, outlined with silver glitter, which slot together to create a three-dimensional mini-tree, 26cm high – perfect for the dining table or a corner. Then you add the 24 miniature wooden decorations that are included – nutcrackers, fairies and gingerbread figures and four metal jingle bells. Amazing value at £12, from paperchase.co.uk

Marks & Spencer’s 1.5ft Lit Gold Berry Christmas tree is a realistic looking little number, decked with numerous glowing gold berries and warm white lights. £25, marksandspencer.com

Clintons’ ‘snowing’ Christmas tree has traditional red and gold decorations and is pre-lit. Its appeal lies in its ability to draw up snow from the base and push it out of the top so it cascades onto the branches below. It even plays Christmas music! 75cm high, in green or silver (with teal baubles), £40 from clintonsretail.com

Read our guide to decorating a Christmas tree

Outdoor trees

Double up with the Birch Indoor Outdoor Light Up trees from Cox & Cox, in sizes ranging from 0.6m (£35) to 2.4m (£155). Simple and versatile, these trees look as good bare as they do decorated, thanks to their glimmering LED lights and realistic silver birch effect branches.

Be the envy of your neighbour’s with the twinkling, ethereal 4.2m FairyBell 3D Pre-lit Tree. It’s covered with 640 warm white LED lights and is easy to put up and pack away. All you need is a nearby plug socket. £319.99 from festive-lights.com

Want some cheery Christmas colour to brighten your doorstep? Then Crowders’ 5ft Snowtime Pre-Lit Multi Coloured Snowbright Christmas Tree is ideal. Illuminated by 180 multi-coloured LED lights, it costs £89.99 from crowders.co.uk

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